Country kid with and Olympic dream

Hello, my name is Olivia Clifford and want to be the first Australian Karate Olympian. I am 18 years old and I live in a small town located four and a half hours north of Perth Western Australia called Port Denison, Dongara. 

I currently represent Australia for Karate kumite (fighting) for the Australia Karate Federation. Whilst I am just 18 years old I hold 12 National titles, 6 silver and 9 bronze.  I am the current Oceanic champion for under 21 female +68kg and am ranked 8th in the world for this division. In 2017 I competed for Australia at the Junior World championships in Tenerife Spain placing 15th for Australia out of 122 competing countries.

From the start of 2018 I have competed in Austria placing 20th out of 89 countries, Netherlands winning the International Amsterdam Open, I have also competed in Belgium placing 4th, Germany placing 4th. New Zealand winning Under 21s Oceanic Champion and Womens team event. 

In the next 4 months I will be competing in the following;
-South America in September
-Noumea in October
-Spain (Senior World Championships) in November
-Netherlands in December 
-China also in December 


The reason I am seeking financial support is due to karate being a fully self funded sport. I have been traveling the world competing at this international level for the past 12 months however expenses have taken a massive toll and I am now in dire need of support to make my Olympic dream come true. 

Due to living in Australia all the top end competitions are located overseas mainly in Europe, thus meaning my costs for competitions cost almost 3 times the amount it costs an athlete who lives closer to the location of the competition. 

I am seeking funding to assist with my travel costs, sporting equipment and entry fees.